th 15 of November KING’S DAY

A small country with big ambitions!

overing some 30,000 km2, Belgium is not a big nomic chessboard. It is ranked 12th country in the country but through its history and its geo- world for the export of merchandise (WTO-2014 Cgraphic location it has always held an important Report) and is a favourite destination for investors. place in the world, aware that without bridges to oth- Every year, billions of euros of foreign direct invest- ers, it would be unrealistic to want to build a fairer and ment are made in Belgium. more prosperous world. Belgium offers the opportunity to reach 200 million For Belgium, effective action on crucial issues such consumers in a radius of 500 kilometres thanks to its as peace and security, human rights and the promotion central geographic position and its quality logistics of the rule of law, can only be carried out in a multilat- infrastructures. Sea ports, inland ports, canals, airports, eral context. Belgium is therefore a founding Member rail, road and motorway networks: the various commu- State of many of the great international institutions nication channels in Belgium are constantly being such as the United Nations (UN), the European Union adapted to the needs of the economy. For example, the (EU), the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), port of Antwerp is the 2nd busiest European port and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in has the largest petrochemical complex in Europe. The Europe (OSCE), and the Council of Europe. city of Antwerp is the diamond capital with 80% of the Belgium makes a significant contribution to the market in rough diamonds and 50% in polished dia- work of these institutions, while Brussels is home to the monds. headquarters of several of them and many Belgian There are many other reasons to explain Belgium’s politicians have assumed important responsibilities economic success including a highly-qualified, multi- while heading up such organizations. lingual and flexible workforce, proximity with the Based on the open and pragmatic Belgian character, international decision-making sphere based in Belgian foreign policy covers universal values, focused Brussels, many financial and tax incentives, affordable on democracy, dialogue and regional integration property prices, legendary hospitality, excellent social between countries that may have been in conflict. So security and more. as human rights improve and poverty declines and a country opens up to a democratic process, if the econ- IN BELGIUM, SPORTING PASSION IS omy picks up, development cooperation and economic BLACK-YELLOW-RED action can be complementary!

BELGIAN KING’S DAY IN COVID-19 TIMES

Who could forget the performances of our champi- ons? , nicknamed The Cannibal with his extraordinary record, Stefan Everts and his ten world championship titles and , six-time winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. These are just some of our sporting legends like and , former tennis number ones with no less than 11 Grand Slam titles between them. Today, those who make us dream include on the athletics track and in cycling, not forgetting our formidable UCI Mountain Bike Eliminator World Cup powered by Kuwait Godiva, Belgian chocolates boutique, The Avenues mall Red Devils and their international stars such as Kevin the variety of non-Western musical expression, and De Bruyne or . which also connect better with the various diasporas. In Moussem Repertoire, the organization intro- duces plays in Arabic to the Dutch-language perform- ing arts world by translating and publishing them in Dutch, also organizing public events that focus on them. For this multifaceted and successful performing arts work, in 2018 Moussem was awarded the Flemish Culture Prize for the Performing Arts. Every year Belgium honours its King on the 15th of It is noteworthy that Kuwaiti playwright and direc- November. Last year the Belgian embassy hosted a tor Sulayman Al Bassam collaborated with Moussem in delightful reception at the ambassador’s residence with 2017, in the framework of Moussem Repertoire, and the corps diplomatique, Kuwaiti officials and entrepre- Alongside the achievements of our sporting ambas- has presented his play called In the Eruptive Mode on neurs. Together we raised the glass to King Philippe, sadors above, Belgium can also pride itself on organiz- the stage of the well-known Toneelhuis Theatre in the seventh King of the Belgians. In addition, we ing major sporting events. The Spa-Francorchamps West, of encounters and discoveries, of shared emo- Antwerp. reflected on the excellent diplomatic relations between Grand Prix in Formula 1, the great cycling classics such tions and wonderment open to all. Belgium and Kuwait but also looked forward to differ- as the Tour of Flanders and Liege-Bastogne-Liege and The Boghossian Foundation hosts a rich artistic Nedda El-Asmar ent fruitful commercial collaborations between our the Memorial Van Damme in athletics, are all examples program and unique activities all year round: exhibi- Nedda El-Asmar, Belgian designer of Lebano- countries, notably in the food, medical and entertain- of unmissable annual meetings... tions, concerts, conferences, dance performances, Palestinian origins, studied Jewellery Design, Gold & ment sector. workshops for kids, artist encounters, guided tours, Silversmithing at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in This year’s edition will be a little bit different. Due SCIENCE IS IN OUR DNA meetings, film screenings, performances, yoga classes... Antwerp, and she completed her education at the A true Belgian tradition, scientific and technical to the COVID-19 pandemic unfortunately no official The Boghossian Foundation continues to finance Royal College of Art in London. It is impossible to sum reception can be held. However, those who desire to research has always been promoted throughout the social, educational and artistic projects in Belgium, up her various activities over the last twenty years in discover a ‘taste of Belgium’ can easily do so in safe country, with many researchers involved in a wide Lebanon and Armenia. one word. Openness, flexibility and diversity are key conditions at home. Belgium is known for its many culi- range of international scientific programmes. Medicine, concepts in her thinking and design approach. She is nary traditions. One of them are fries, that are consid- chemistry, statistics and astronomy can be counted Moussem Nomadic Arts Centre quick to see possibilities, even if a commission comes ered to be originated in Belgium. For those who have a among Belgium’s strengths, fields where Belgian Moussem provides support to artists and creates from an unexpected source. As a result she has sweet tooth, our Belgian speculoos biscuits and fine researchers have received prestigious scientific programs that help shape the global contemporary art evolved into an acclaimed designer with a broad field chocolates are widely available in Kuwait (see picture). awards. of activities. It may not come as a surprise that this year the Today, Belgian proficiency can be seen in many Nedda develops a world of seemingly simple Brussels chocolatier Pierre Marcolini was elected as other fields such as nanotechnology, biotechnology shapes, ideally refined or oddly baroque, mixing classi- the world’s best pastry chef. The chocolate stores of and even vaccinations. The universities are the primary cal elegance and a modern approach in a well-bal- Pierre Marcolini can be found around the world and pool for this Belgian scientific expertise and, through anced, creative manner. Craftsmanship and originality, maybe Kuwait might host one in the future. Apart from the creation of spin-offs, have taken the important step tradition and innovation, functionality and aesthetics the guilty pleasures, Belgium is also a large producer of enhancing invaluable skills. The treatment of cancer and a passion for re-envisaging traditional objects are of healthy vegetables, fruits and herbs. These produces by proton therapy is probably one of the best econom- all central to Nedda’s work. can easily be found in the Kuwaiti supermarkets and ic and scientific successes worldwide. Her designs have earned numerous awards and gourmet stores. Belgium is also actively involved in space research, prizes. COVID-19 has also emphasised the primordial role research in the North Sea and climate research in She works for renowned names such as Hermes, of ICT and the medical sector to connect and protect Antarctica with the Princess Elisabeth station. Puiforcat, Eternum, Gense, Villeroy & Boch, Robbe & our beloved ones. The Belgian embassy is actively sup- Currently, ambitious research projects focused on sus- Berking, Obumex, Demeyere, Carl Mertens, Serax, porting those two sectors in Kuwait with the aim to tainable development are also being funded. Maison Vervloet, ...etc. Furthermore, she designs diplo- establish suitable collaborations between Belgian and To date, many Belgian scientists have been received scene and engage in the creation of a new common matic gifts on behalf of the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Kuwaiti entities at mutual benefit. For example, a into prestigious universities abroad; just like Belgium cultural heritage. It speaks directly to a varied urban Affairs. She also collaborates with a Kuwaiti company Belgian company will soon finalise the ICT integration itself welcomes various foreign students and audience. It plays a unique, intercultural part in the art of crafts heritage. in a Kuwaiti hospital. Also, in the medical sector our researchers attracted by the high scientific level of its world by integrating the work it offers into established From 2008-2017, Erik Indekeu, trained as a Product companies have a lot to offer. Belgium is an interna- universities together with the quality of life in Belgium. arts institutions on the basis of long-term reciprocal Designer, was Nedda’s business and design partner. tional hub for the biomedical industry. As we speak, partnerships. This partnership and her nomination as Designer of the clinical trials on a new corona vaccine are carried out Foundation Boghossian - Villa Empain In 2021, Moussem will be celebrating its 20th Year in 2007 meant that the diversification of their in Belgium. Possibly Belgium will play a key role in the anniversary; since its inception it has navigated an projects gained momentum. combat against the novel corona virus. exceptional course. It started in 2001 as a small-scale From 2007-2019 she was head and senior lecturer Finally, let’s look forward to some entertainment festival in Antwerp set up on the initiative of citizens of the Jewellery Design, Gold & Silversmithing depart- prospects with a Belgian twist for post COVID-19 who believed in the power of culture to bring together ment at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp. times. Once the opening is allowed again, fun-loving people of different backgrounds and wished to tackle Currently she is coordinator and senior lecturer at families and children can visit TEKZONE, a futuristic the absence of diversity in the cultural sector of that the Jewellery Design, Gold & Silversmithing depart- and Belgian-designed family entertainment park in The city. Moussem was a project for cultural participation ment at PXL-MAD Hasselt. Avenues mall. This concept is currently being fran- that arose out of the Moroccan community in Antwerp, chised in the GCC region and can therefore be consid- but from the very beginning it was open to other ered as a success story of Kuwaiti-Belgian coopera- groups and initiatives in that city. The focus soon tion. In addition, 2021 will present a new sport oppor- turned to the introduction of artists and content linked tunity for Kuwait. The UCI Mountain Bike Eliminator to North Africa and the Middle East. World Cup is a new race discipline, developed in On its recognition as a (Nomadic) Arts Centre in Belgium (see picture). Currently it has become an 2008, the local focus shifted and Moussem expanded internationally accredited bike race with professional Created in 1992 by Robert and his two sons Jean into an international platform at work in the Flemish athletes from all over the world. Moreover, Kuwait and Albert Boghossian, Lebanese jewelers of Armenian and European arts scenes. became the main sponsor of this spectacular interna- origin, The Boghossian Foundation aims to contribute In its multidisciplinary Moussem Cities festival, the tional event and will even host its own race in Kuwait to development and education. organization latches onto a metropolitan context in City early 2021. As a main sponsor and organiser In its first fifteen years, the Boghossian Foundation which to cast light on a particular artistic scene Kuwait will therefore enjoy a lot of visibility and credi- devoted itself mainly to the task of helping improve the together with both permanent and temporary partners bility on the international sport scene. living conditions of young people both in Armenia and from Brussels. Previous festivals have turned the spot- Be safe and keep care of each other in these excep- Lebanon in order to encourage a better future for light on Tunis, Beirut, Casablanca, Damascus and tional times. The future in Kuwait looks bright and the them. Algiers. In the field of music, there are the annual Sufi embassy of Belgium takes pride in contributing to it. After completely renovating the Villa Empain, the Nights and Moussem Sounds events and such thematic Boghossian Foundation established its headquarters series as Tarab and Qanun Dialogues. Moussem intro- LOCATION, INFRASTRUCTURE AND A there in 2010. A jewel of Brussels’ Art Deco architec- duces into the music scenes in Flanders and Brussels QUALITY WORKFORCE tural heritage, the Villa Empain is now a Centre of art new artists and musical styles that operate outside the Belgium occupies an important position on the eco- and dialogue between cultures of the East and the closed ‘world music circuit’ but which better represent